True Religion

Psalm 50 magnifies the condition of our souls as God calls a cosmic court session and charges His people with superficial religion and hypocrisy.

Scripture:  Psalm 50

Sermon Notes:

1. Psalm 50 is God’s word of judgment to His people.
2. This Psalm, in particular, magnifies the condition of our souls.
3. God calls a cosmic court session, charges His people with superficial religion and hypocrisy, and He then calls them back to repentance and true worship.
4. God catches the attention His people in a theophany (v1-6): the mighty One, the Lord, summons His people and puts them on trial and the creation is called to witness.
5. God’s charge against His people is righteous and true.
6. The Lord is continually judging and inspecting his church (Rev. 1:13-16; Rev. 2-3 cf. Dan. 7:9-10).
7. We each need to examine ourselves as God’s diagnostic word comes to us in Psalm 50 (cf. 2 Cor. 13:5).
8. Israel had all the outward religious performances right, but they didn’t love God truly (cf. Deut. 6:4-6).
9. If we are not worshipping God rightly, God calls us to praise, to pray, and to make an offering of thanksgiving (Ps. 50:14-15 cf. Lev. 7:11-15; Ps. 66:13-19).
10. We are to testify to God’s goodness, and declare that the mercies of God are new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23).
11. The Lord’s Supper–the Eucharist–is to be a frequent meal of thanksgiving.
12. God indicts His people for hating discipline and casting His words away (Ps. 50:17 cf. Isa. 29:13; 2 Tim. 3:15-17).
13. The hypocrite fits in well with unbelieving friends. He has only good things to say to the unbeliever.
14. The Lord warns that he will destroy us if we don’t repent (Ps. 50:22 cf. Rev. 3:16)
15. God promises His salvation to those who show their repentance in thanksgiving, who order their lives rightly, and who love the discipline of God’s word.
16. Only as we receive God’s mercy and grace are we able to repent and declare God’s praises (1 Pet. 2:9-10)
17. Our example is the tax collector who stands far off beating his breast and asking God to be merciful to him (Luke 18:9-14).
18. We are called to love God as we receive God's love: while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Application Questions:

1. What are the main themes of Psalm 50?
2. In what ways is the modern church practicing superficial religion?
3. What should be our attitude and response when we are among godless company?
4. Do unbelievers ask us for the reason for our hope?  Why or why not?
5. How have we slipped into a religion of outward performance? How does Psalm 50 direct us to be delivered from our error?
6. How can we receive God’s forgiveness?